LS1x2

iTrader: (11)

I've read everything I can find so far about how to put together a cage in one of these cars. I'm going to try my best to make it NHRA legal. I ordered a rulebook.

I am still not clear on how to weld the D bars or sometimes called kicker bars to the subframe. What are they defining as the subframe? Do I actually need to cut the floorboard and tie into the subframe connectors? Where should this bar go to on the car?

FEAR THE LS1

iTrader: (1)

I believe they are referring to older cars that have a "frame" or frame rails that run the length of the car. Our cars are "unibody" cars we technically don't have frail rails. You should be able to weld a plate to the floor board of the car to mount the roll bars to. We add subframe connectors to our cars to stiffen up the chassis, but the rule book is not saying you need to weld your roll cage to the sub frames.

I am by no means a NHRA chassis guru, I would ask someone like Mad Man to elaborate more on this.

Lee

Coach 02 A3 Z/28

iTrader: (10)

I agree with Lee. Give Madman a call. Well, maybe not today because he is working on my Hot Rod today.

Coach

GIZMO

iTrader: (8)

You need to weld your bars to the plates. The subframe connectors are not counted as a frame, so you don't have to tie the bars into them.

Daren

LS1x2

iTrader: (11)

I'm pretty sure it matters where you put it. In the pic there from NHRA.com it says the D bars need to attach to the subframe and I have heard of people failing inspection b/c it was attached to the tranny tunnel with plates.

DERTY

Didn't fail my inspection, got my chassis sticker for 7.50's (3 years) and the D bar is mounted to a plate on the trans tunnel. Some inspectors can be clueless when interpreting that rule and as a result there has been a history of them failing the cars when in doubt. You can contact the NHRA directly if you have any questions about it.

LS1x2

iTrader: (11)

Okay. I'll just save those for last and call. Thanks.

Brady

iTrader: (3)

I nearly failed my inspection for having the D-bars welded to 6" square plates near the tunnel. Rules state that the D-bars have to be welded to a frame rail or crossmember, the guy who inspected my cage was not familiar with f-bodys and was going to fail me until I sweet talked him into passing me because there is no crossmember or frame rail in that area of the car.. A fairly easy way to conform to the rule would be to stitch weld a 2x3" crossmember under the floorpan and above the d-bars..

good luck! I've got 3 years until I have to worry about it again

GIZMO

iTrader: (8)

I think that the "sub frame" that they are talking about would be the frame rails that are added to a car that is tubbed. I believe that the rule book also states that the subframe connectors do not constitute a frame. I really doubt that an NHRA or IHRA official would question this. But if you have some reservations, call the NHRA and ask them (contact info. at NHRA.com).

Daren